'He wants to protect America' Trump's wife DEFENDS Muslim ban proposal amid backlash
DONALD Trump's wife has defended her husband's proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States.
Melania Trump defended her husband's proposed ban on Muslims entering the US
The Presidential hopeful, who won the crucial Nevada caucus last night, sparked a whirlwind of controversy when he unveiled the policy in December.
David Cameron slammed his "divisive" and "stupid" comments while White House rival Hillary Clinton branded the idea "reprehensible".
But Melania Trump, his wife of 11 years, yesterday said the billionaire wants to "keep the country safe".
We need to screen who's coming to the country
The 45-year-old said: "Well, what he said is it will be temporary and it's not for all the Muslims.
"We need to screen who's coming to the country. He wants to protect America.
"He wants to protect the people of America so we have a country and keep the country safe. That's very important to him."
The 45-year-old, with son Barron, married the outspoken Presidental hopeful in 2005
Mrs Trump, who was born in Slovenia, also defended her husband's views on illegal immigration.
She said: "I followed the law. I followed the law the way it's supposed to be. I never thought to stay here without papers. I had [a] visa."
She added: "You should not just say, 'OK let me just stay here and whatever happens happens'."
She also backed his controversial views on illegal immigration
Mr Trump, 69, announced the "total and complete shutdown" on Muslims entering the US in the wake of the horrific San Bernardino massacre.
He insisted the country needed to be defended from the threat of "radical Islamic terrorism" after a Muslim couple shot 13 people dead.
The billionaire said: "The United Kingdom is trying hard to disguise their massive Muslim problem. Everybody is wise to what is happening, very sad."